Our team of Bio-Chemicals Specialists have a detailed knowledge of the broad spectrum of chemical products and material derivatives that can be produced from agro-based feedstocks.

This expertise extends from the full range of feedstocks through to bio-based intermediaries – “platform” chemicals and the major end use products: bio-lubricants, bio-based plastics, bio-solvents, bio-surfactants.

The team works closely with our raw materials teams ensuring that we are able to provide objective analysis of the full value chain of the bio-chemical industry in different parts of the world. We continually monitor and analyse developments in this sector which means that we are able to help clients plan effectively and successfully to identify and seize opportunities and to pre-empt threats.

Find below details of the broad range of LMC consultancy services that we can provide, or contact our Bio-chemicals experts if you have specific consultancy requirements that LMC can address.

Experience and Expertise

This report examined the choice of substrates (C-sources) for corn (maize), wheat, sugar, molasses and cassava, presenting raw material costs, net raw material costs (taking account of by-product credits) and the full cost of using these different raw materials/processes for the production of ethanol.

A due diligence exercise in connection with the proposed restructuring of a loan facility secured on an oleochemical operation. The company produces fatty acids, fatty alcohols, glycerine and other oleochemical derivatives.

Feasibility study for a chemical company considering expanding its operations, assessing the structure and outlook of the global fatty alcohols market. It covered fatty alcohol production, consumption, capacity, trade data & barriers to trade, processing, competition between oleo-chemicals and petro-chemicals, structural change within the oleochemical sector, the availability of lauric and other oils, and pricing technologies.

A clear view of developments in trade, production and consumption for lactic acid. This includes developing updated consumption forecasts over the next five years to help you identify where deficits for lactic acid will emerge and the size of these deficits.

Demand forecasts, examining how demand will evolve in major developed and emerging markets and assessing the impact of changes in end-markets on the requirements for different grades of HPC used in their manufacture. Is there sufficient capacity to meet the expected demand? What are the strategies of the major transformers producing cellulose-based industrial and consumer products.

An examination of crude and refined glycerine production, by sector, for each major producing region. Plus analysis of glycerine price dynamics, including the influence of the growth in biodiesel and the impact of new industrial applications. Forecasts of production and prices to 2020.

A study which identified and quantified the availability of lignocellulosic biomass resources for the production of biochemicals and biofuels based on advanced conversion technologies in Europe and North America. The report presented costs for different feedstock categories (woody biomass from plantations, processing residues and recovered wood, sources of lignocellulosic materials from the recycling industry and from agric by-products), in the major regions within Europe and North America.

For a major investor in the plantation sector, an overview of vegetable oil demand in key markets in the Asian region. Trends in vegetable oil production and trade in China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan, and forecasts of consumption. From this basis, the study provided forecasts of the demand for palm oil in Asian markets and the outlook for uses of palm oil in value-added and downstream products.

For the main EU starch producers, an examination the number of plants and their location, grind capacity ('000 tons of starch) by plant, isoglucose quota by company and an indication of which plants produce mainly starch sweeteners. The study also examined the market outlook, taking into account the reforms the EU has imposed on its sugar sector as they apply to isoglucose production and how these policies are likely to affect production of starch sweeteners across the EU and the likely spillover effect on other starch derivatives such as native and modified starch.